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Topic Review (Newest First)

12-02-2008 04:42 PM

Bene505

davidpm -- the cam cleats built into the boom held well, once there was some tension on them.

I see how that may help. But I don't remember seeing a place to terminate the reef line on the boom on bene505's boat.

The cleats may work under load that was a possibility we discussed.

Padeyes can be added, but I thought I read elsewhere that he had some eyes on tracks on the underside of the boom. The eyes should be fixed in a location a few inches aft of the final position of the reefed clew.

Each reef line should go from the sheave at the end of the boom, up through the reef cringle, and terminate on or around the boom at a spot slightly aft of the reefed cringle position. This will give the reef line a (admitteldy high friction) doubling and act as an outhaul as well.

The cam cleats built into the gooseneck will probably only "latch" with a significnt load on the reef line. It is possible the line's too large, but if you get the reef rigged in you may find that it cleats OK when loaded up. On a B51 I'd expect to see a winch to assist grinding the clew down and out when you're reefing.

I see how that may help. But I don't remember seeing a place to terminate the reef line on the boom on bene505's boat.

The cleats may work under load that was a possibility we discussed.

12-02-2008 10:26 AM

SVAuspicious

Check with a sail maker. Advice is usually free.

That said, on the handful of occasions I have had my third reef in I was very very glad to have it. Here on Chesapeake Bay I have the third reef line pulled out of the sail (just more weight I don't expect to get advantage from) but offshore it is reassuring to see that yellow line running through the third cringle.

After our BFS (for us anyway) last month, I'm really tempted to put in a third reef. Our main sail is getting a bit old, so I'm not sure how the economics work (How much does it cost to add another reefing point?) The boom is fitted for it though.

Yeah, you could probably do it, but...

When they designed your sail, they designed it for 2 reefs. If it had been designed for 3 reefs, the first two probably would have been placed differently. So if you add a 3rd reef to your current sail, it may not be in an ideal location -- it will probably end up reducing sail area too much.

Or maybe not. Maybe they placed those first two reefs no differently than they would have if the sail had 3 reef points. You'll have to try to judge that or get an opinion from a sailmaker.

I can tell you that the reef points on our old 2-reef mainsail and our new 3-reef mainsail are in completely different locations. That is one of the advantages of going with a 3-reef sail -- more "gears" to choose from.

After our BFS (for us anyway) last month, I'm really tempted to put in a third reef. Our main sail is getting a bit old, so I'm not sure how the economics work (How much does it cost to add another reefing point?) The boom is fitted for it though.

You'll probably be looking at around $300 or so parts and labor. Estimated guess though...

Patches to re-enforce the grommet areas, and cost of the grommets... its a short work order and your local sail loft can usually turn it around in a few days...

Our main halyard is led to the cockpit, but the jib halyard is at the mast since with roller furling it's rarely used.

We kept our first reef at the mast, on the thinking that first reef conditions are relatively benign. Second and third reefs are in the cockpit, on the reasoning that as conditions deteriorate, we'd prefer to remain in the cockpit as much as possible.

I guess my point is it doesn't have to be "all or nothing."

Nice setup.

After our BFS (for us anyway) last month, I'm really tempted to put in a third reef. Our main sail is getting a bit old, so I'm not sure how the economics work (How much does it cost to add another reefing point?) The boom is fitted for it though.

That's a personal choice, and many of us prefer keeping halyards and reefing lines at the mast.

True enough, while others choose a combination of the two.

Our main halyard is led to the cockpit, but the jib halyard is at the mast since with roller furling it's rarely used.

We kept our first reef at the mast, on the thinking that first reef conditions are relatively benign. Second and third reefs are in the cockpit, on the reasoning that as conditions deteriorate, we'd prefer to remain in the cockpit as much as possible.